“Viking Glass’s inheritance in 1944 included a legacy of pressed glass animals and figurals from New Martinsville Glass. Among the assets Viking assumes are the molds of New Martinsville Glass. Until the last days of Dalzell/Viking decades later, the use, re-use and re-re-use of these same molds prove a profitable asset for the glass companies that work from the same factory site regardless of the company name.

While the continued use of a number of glass animal and figural molds was a blessing to the profit margins of the company, it is a modern day curse for collectors. That an item would be in the line, out of the line, in again and out and so on, repeating the pattern over time, makes dating of Viking/New Martinsville/Dalzell/Viking animals very difficult.”

This article is only on the #1323 Epic Dog but I will be fighting this dilemma
in every Viking Glass Animal Article. I do not believe the Epic Cat and Dog were original New Martinsville molds, but who knows, there is no record of them producing them.

An advertisement in the May, 1964 issue of House and Garden Magazine put it like this.

“Prettiest Pets your home ever had in beautiful Viking Glass.
Puppy or Penguin any member of this adorable menagerie adds novel beauty to your home. Styled in the sparkling loveliness of hand made Viking Glass. A delightfully different gift. Your choice of lustrous Viking colors, at sensible Viking prices.”

The 1964 Viking Catalog showed the #1323 - 8 Inch Epic Dog on page 6 in Persimmon. The Dog was listed in the Viking Price List in colors Avocado (Green), Bluenique, Honey (Amber), Persimmon and Ruby. All but the Ruby sold for $5.00, Ruby was $6.00.

RUBY RED EPIC DOG I CONSIDER VERY SCARCE!

The 1965 Viking Catalog was only a 4 page Supplement to the 1964 Catalog.

This Supplement did not include pictures of any old items listed in the 1964 Catalog, it only showed new items.

The Bluenique Epic 8 Inch Dog is the 2nd most Elusive of the Dogs

The Ruby Epic Dog has only shown up on Ebay a 3 times in the last 5 years. The Bluenique Epic Dog is not far behind as one rarely sees it show up on Ebay. I have Never seen a Bluenique or Ruby Cat at an Antique Store or Auction. I am not calling any of them Rare but these two are hard to come by for as old as they are.

The 1966 – 1967 Viking Catalog showed the Epic Dog in ruby Red on page 6 along with the other animals produced at that time.

The Avocado Dog is Third in line for being elusive and not seen as often as the Amber and Persimmon Dogs.

The 1968 – 1969 Viking Catalog had dropped the Epic Cat and Dog. The #1322 Epic Cat and the #1323 Dog were out of the line and were only made in these listed colors.

For years the molds lay in storage until Viking closed its doors in July of 1986. The company was managed and stayed open but no Catalogs came out until the Company became Dalzell/Viking.

The Amber Dog was in line since 1964 along with the others so it makes it tough to rate them. I'm taking Amber next in line for being elusive!

It must have been a very popular Dog at the time because it is one of the most common colors available today. No one knows how often these Dogs made their "Turn" from the mold room but Persimmon and Amber must have been there the most.

Because they show up the most they sell for less money BUT! Amber colors are making a strong comeback so beware.

Much like the Amber Dog this Cat may be a Sleeper!

Persimmon is in the same class as Amber. This Persimmon Dog was in line since 1964 along with the others so it makes it tough to rate them.

Seen quite often on Ebay and at Shows and Shops. This color is also the one that comes in a variety of colors from Yellowish to Orange to Dark Orange. I do not seperate the different colors. I lump them all under Persimmon.

All these Dogs Stand about 8.25 Inches Tall with a 2.5 inch plus Base. Each Foot has 3 Toes.

These Persimmon Dogs sold for $5.00 back in 1964.

In 1973 Viking Began Making Items in Brown Colored Glass.

The Epic Dog was made in Brown and I have never seen it in a later Catalog. I do not know for sure when they were made.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BROWN EPIC CAT!

I would have to believ this Brown Dog was made in 1973 or 1974 when Brown was heavily produced.

The last Brown Epic Dog sold on Ebay in 2008 brought $92.00.

Dalzell/Viking Bring Back the Old Animal Molds in 1991 in Crystal and Classic Black!

The 1991 Dalzell/Viking Catalog made a big splash across 2 pages showing old New Martinsville and Viking Glass Animal molds brought back in Crystal and Classic Black. The Crystal Dog was shown in the 1991 Catalog along with the Viking Epic #1323 Dog.

Some have Dalzell etched on the bottom but not all of them were marked. They were listed in the 1991 Dalzell Price List for $20 each. They were still shown in the last 1995 Dalzell/Viking price list in 1995.

In Jan. of 2008 the Epic Dog in Black sold for $181.50 on Ebay.

Crystal and Black Epic Dogs were in the
Dalzell/Viking Catalog for 4 or more years.

No one knows how many turns were made so numbers are unknown. They will bring better prices than the Persimmon and Amber but they are definitely not made before 1991.

CONCLUSION: I hunt Viking Glass daily and it took me 10 years to find 2 Ruby Red Dogs. To me that is a "long time no see" and a scarce item. There will be a day soon when putting a full set of these Epic Dog Animals together will take a substancial amount of time and money. We are fortunate to be on the lead edge.